That's how I knew him.

To me and so many from my home town that is how we knew him. Chad Boseman.

The great thing about this man though was that it's not who he ended up. Not that being Chad was a bad thing. Chad was a great guy but his evolution to being loved by the world as Chadwick was a brilliant and beautiful journey.

Let me stop here make sure I don't front and come off as a close friend. I knew him from the shared community of the Westside and T.L. Hanna High School drama family. From my perspective that group of young adults was a special thing in the early 90's brought together through the mentorship of teachers like Rick Mascaro and Diane Lee.

I've been trying to make sense of how I feel about the death of Chadwick Boseman since I heard the news last night. I've been quiet about it. I haven't rushed to Facebook or Twitter to offer a memorial. So many are doing that much more eloquently that I can. Leaders of our nation are commemorating the life of this man and the work that he did.

It's amazing.

I know I am mourning a loss but it's not like we were close. I remember him. We shared a love of theatre and performing. We found ourselves in the same early organization learning the basics of our craft. We didn't hang out other than in functions related to drama. I know for a fact I was too focused on girls at the time when I probably should have been focusing on fostering relationships with souls such as his. It was high school though. Who can't look back and shake their head at what we thought was so important at the time?

I honestly think the loss I am feeling is so much more than Chad himself. I think it is more about what he represented. He rose from similar beginnings as I did from the same area. What he was and what he became was and continues to be such a powerful force that the loss is poignant at this moment and time.

I feel enormous pride in his success from the perspective of a drama student from district 5.

I'm so proud of the role he plays in representation of black actors on the screen.

I feel the strength and the humanity of the character he portrayed in The Black Panther.

I'm pissed that overaggressive reproducing cells spelled the demise of this great force and influence in our world at a time when we desperately need it.

I'm mad that Anderson SC sent a bright light into the world that was snuffed out way too early.

I sit here wishing I had even the smallest percentage of positive influence on the world that he had and feeling like it's unfair that I sit here typing when he can't.

I don't know if I've really worked through all my feelings yet but I did feel compelled to write something. For me it means more to sit down and write a blog entry on my own site that will live on. A post on social media would tumble into history but I know this post will at least serve as a reminder to me.

Chad, I'm sorry I missed the opportunity to work to be closer to such an amazing human being.

I also want to say thank you for your work and inspiration. You were taken from us way too early. My heart aches for the good I know you would have continued to do. However, my heart is also grateful for the undying legacy you created that will continue to inspire us all.

Rest well my friend and thank you for everything.